SSN is a digest of the day's soccer/football/futbol articles with a focus on the top European leagues and the United States National Team. Below, you’ll find links to articles and video, as well as additional features and commentary. We locate the top news of the day so you can stay updated with ease.

It's a stupid headline. The answer is obviously both. Anyone who doubts that Beckham is/was a great player is a fool. He's proved that he's been one of the best over the last decade. -Sanford

David Beckham, the rock star with his gold-stitched initials adorning his adidas boots, will hang up his Predators next Wednesday – as far as the international stage is concerned anyway – unless England is afforded an outrageous slice of good fortune and qualify for the 2008 European Championships.

When the draw for the Euro qualifying groups was made, the general view - especially in England - was that Croatia and England were the best bets from Group E to reach the finals in Austria and Switzerland.

Manchester United’s splendid young team came buoyantly to Highbury on February 1, 1958. Doomed, alas, just five days later to suffer the appalling Munich air crash. At half-time they were 3-0 ahead with goals by the powerful Duncan Edwards, Tommy Taylor, the centre forward, both of whom would both die in Munich, and the precocious Bobby Charlton. Arsenal, however, scored three times in three minutes in the second half. Dennis Violett and Taylor made it 5-3. The Gunners pulled one back and it finished 5-4. Jimmy Bloomfield, the clever inside forward, scored two of the Arsenal goals, David Herd and Derek Tapscott one each.

I don't really care that much about Legrottaglie, but whenever I get the chance to use the "Jesus Coach" figurine I've got to take it. Anyway, apparently He is coaching the Juventus defender quite well. For now. -Sanford

It would be a major blow to England should the national team fail to qualify for Euro 2008. But for this inward-looking nation of football fanatics, England's absence from Austria and Switzerland might be a blessing in disguise, saving us all from another dose of our 'world beaters' suffering another 'shock' quarter-final exit. The truth, you see, is that England aren't that good. And that's nothing new.

To qualify Italy need to beat Scotland, or draw with Scotland then beat the Faroes. If France lose to Ukraine, a win in the Faroes will do.

England: Group E

Drew 0-0 at home to Macedonia, lost 2-0 in Croatia and lost 2-1 in Russia.

To qualify If Croatia lose to Macedonia: England can go through if they beat Croatia 2-0, depending on goal difference, or by three goals. If Croatia draw with or beat Macedonia: if Russia lose to Israel a draw with Croatia is enough for England; if Russia draw in Israel England will qualify if they beat Croatia; if Russia beat Israel, England are almost certainly out as Russia only need to defeat Andorra.

Spain: Group F

Lost 3-2 in Northern Ireland and 2-0 in Sweden.

To qualify Need to win one of their two games, or draw one and hope other results go their way.

The 47-year-old Sundhage (pronounced Soond-hahg-eh) replaces Greg Ryan. His surprising decision to switch goalies before the World Cup semifinals was followed by a lopsided loss, and his contract wasn't renewed.

“I came on to a chorus of ‘If Neville can play for England, so can I’,” he recalled. “I walked off that night and I said to myself, ‘That’s it, I’ve had enough.’ For the first time I just thought, ‘What’s the point?’

The Irishman had promised he would not allow himself to join any training sessions but it is a vow he has been unable to keep as he takes a more hands-on approach to getting the best out of a set of players among whom top-flight experience is lacking.

The league's teams are falling further and further behind the elite of Europe. They can't compete in the Champions League anymore and have to decide between embracing the dough or sacrificing success in Europe to remain fan-friendly. Uli fills us in...

Ever since the groin of Stuttgart's Mario Gomez gave Bayern a first defeat of the season, critics have been rounding on Ottmar Hitzfeld. Herr Raphael Honigstein reports.Gomez's low blow has Hitzfeld on the ropes

A top flight game between Atalanta and AC Milan was also abandoned after seven minutes when fans tried to break down a glass barrier keeping them from the pitch.

Gabriele Sandri was hit in the neck by a shot fired by a policeman at an Italian motorway rest area where rival fans had been fighting on Sunday. An autopsy on his body was carried out as controversy raged.

Leiweke wants the Galaxy to be the best and makes no apology for it. His words will not be to everyone's liking, but those who refuse to accept second-best cannot be everyone's best friend.

"I like the fact that the Galaxy is the most important team in Major League Soccer," Leiweke said. "I like the fact that we lead the way. We are the ones trying to reinvent this sport and reinvent this league.

With parts of Old Trafford populated by people who could testify to the ferocity of Sir Alex Ferguson's hairdryer treatment, it was indicative of the importance of more modern management methods that Blackburn were beaten by a player he had sweet-talked.